SWCS board presents teachers with School Bell Awards

Two teachers were presented with School Bell Awards at the South-Western Board of Education meeting Monday, April 14.

ALAN FROMAN, ThisWeek Community News

Two teachers were presented with School Bell Awards at the South-Western Board of Education meeting Monday, April 14.

School Bell Awards are given to staff members who go above and beyond their everyday job duties in serving students, parents and community members.

Nominations are submitted by district residents, parents or graduates. The awards are presented twice each year.

Prairie Norton Elementary School kindergarten teacher Lisa Oney was nominated by Tiffany Kyser, who expressed appreciation for the care and concern Oney showed last year when Kyser's family was going through a difficult time.

Kyser also praised Oney for the summer reading program she conducts and the regular visits she makes over the summer to the Lehnert Green apartments, where she knocks on doors to remind parents of the program. Oney brings art projects and snacks for the children and gives them books at the end of her summer visits.

"She seems to genuinely enjoy teaching and spending time with all children and children love her," Kyser wrote in her nomination, adding she wants Oney to know "what a wonderful teacher she is."

Alton Hall Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Jennifer Aziz was nominated by Tracy Rivers, who wanted to recognize Aziz for the impact she had on her children.

Both of Rivers' children have excelled in school, and, Rivers said the entire family credits this in large part to the time when Aziz was their teacher.

Aziz always made sure her students understood their work, was available to talk to them and kept the lines of communication open, Rivers' nomination states.

Rivers said her daughter is now a high school senior, and Aziz has contacted the family to find out which college she plans to attend and offer her advice and assistance with the decision.

New principals

In other business Monday, the board approved the appointments of two principals for next school year.

Both appointees already work in the district, assistant superintendent-personnel Carl Metzger said.

"It's always nice to promote from within," he said.

Elizabeth Hollis will become the principal at East Franklin Elementary School effective Aug. 7. East Franklin will be combined with Finland Elementary School in the 2015-16 school year.

Hollis currently serves as a math coach at East Franklin and Finland.

Daniel Boland will become principal at Jackson Middle School effective July 29.

He has served as an assistant principal at Grove City High School since 2008.

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